Engineering Enduring Infrastructure
By: Maisie O'Brien
Madelyn Silveira, A24, AG25, has always found comfort in walks through the woods. Raised in a forested New England town, she developed a deep reverence for plants, animals, and the natural world. As a graduate of Tufts University's 5th-year master’s program in data analytics, Silveira is channeling her technical expertise into the environmental and social causes she cares about most.
Silveira studied computer science and cognitive and brain science as an undergraduate at Tufts, and was introduced to the field of data analytics during a course on artificial intelligence. “Even a few years ago, I could tell that AI and the data behind it were going to become a big part of our lives,” she reflects. “There’s so much data being generated today, and being someone who can interpret and apply it is powerful.”
Silveira valued the MS in Data Analytics program’s project-based curriculum, and built a portfolio that aligned with her interests in computer graphics, machine learning, and computational biology. One of her favorite projects involved training AI models for satellite image analysis—an application intentionally selected for its potential enhancement of climate change research and energy grid monitoring.
Her graduate work was informed by her undergraduate experiences. She interned at a software startup to learn about entrepreneurship and fullstack product design and volunteered at the Levin Lab, a pioneering research facility exploring the intersection of developmental biology, artificial life, bioengineering, and cognitive science.
Silveira describes her work with the Levin Lab as “an amazing experience learning from some of the most innovative researchers I’ve ever met. The work was so out-of-the-box and engaging—it expanded my understanding of biology, evolution, and consciousness.”
Among her favorite graduate courses were “Deep Learning in Multimodal AI,” taught by Professor of the Practice Shuo Zhang, and “Climate Change and Social Justice Analytics,” taught by Professor of the Practice Alice Mello. Inspired by Mello’s commitment to environmental advocacy and biodiversity, Silveira served as a teaching assistant in her introductory data analytics course.
Silveira believes we are at a critical juncture in the evolution of technology and environmental stewardship. “If AI continues to grow unchecked, it may not align with equity, sustainability, or the well-being of society,” she says. “I’m passionate about the ethics of emerging technologies and how we can use them to help both people and the planet.”
This summer, Silveira interned as a quantitative analyst at CoStar Group, a commercial real estate information and analytics company. There, she developed machine learning models to assess credit risk and presented her findings to company leadership. The experience broadened her skill set, introducing her to finance and economic systems.
She enjoyed the exposure to a new industry, reflecting: “The mentorship I received was wonderful. I still hope to use my technical skills to advance sustainability and this internship helped me understand how environmental issues intersect with economic realities. Demonstrating the financial value of sustainability is essential to driving meaningful change.”
Silveira recently accepted a full-time role at CoStar Risk Analytics as an associate quantitative analyst; a path partly realized because of the Data Analytics program’s emphasis on real-world work experience. Describing her time at Tufts, she says: “Tufts gave me the tools to explore what I care about. I’m deeply grateful to the people who encouraged my interests and professional development. I love learning—and I loved learning at Tufts.”